A Myriad Of Health Benefits From Acupuncture

Treatment techniques in the medical world are now increasingly diverse. Not only do you have to use drugs to cure certain diseases, you can also use traditional medical standardized treatments. One of them is the acupuncture technique. Acupuncture itself is a traditional Chinese medical practice that uses thin needles inserted into certain points on the body, while medical acupuncture is an adaptation of acupuncture techniques based on medical knowledge such as anatomy, cellular biology, physiology, pathology, and evidence-based medicine. In medical acupuncture, apart from needles, other methods can be used, such as thermal, electric, laser, sound, and thread implants.

The difference between classical acupuncture and medical acupuncture is based on the basis of diagnosis, examination methods, and therapeutic techniques.

Type	Classical Acupuncture	Medical Acupuncture
Basic Diagnosis	Three elements (Qi, Xue, and Jing), five organs, and their imbalances	Based on cellular biology, anatomy, physiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology
Inspection	Check your eyes, ears, pulse, and tongue.	Based on medical examination (anamnesis, physical examination, and supporting examinations such as laboratory and imaging),
therapy technique	Based on the imbalance syndrome, strengthen, and weaken	Based on the principles of cellular biology, anatomy, physiology, pathogenesis/pathophysiology, and evidence-based medicine (EBM)

 

Acupuncture Points in Medicine

In contrast to conventional medical treatment, which uses more drugs, acupuncture techniques focus on certain points. Acupuncture points are points located in certain locations that have the characteristics of lower electrical resistance and higher electric charge; usually there are many A nerves. After diagnosing a disease or condition, an acupuncture specialist will select certain acupuncture points to stimulate certain cytokines or neurotransmitters involved in that disease or condition. Stimulation can use a fine needle, thermal (heat), electric (electric), sound (sono), laser, or by implanting threads.

Medical acupuncture developed rapidly along with the development of cellular biology around the 1980s. In 2002, the WHO, or the World Health Organization, published Acuuncture : Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, which classifies 4 groups of diseases that can be treated by acupuncture, although now more diseases can be treated with acupuncture based on the evidence.

Medical acupuncture can help with both simple and complex pain, such as cancer pain. Medical acupuncture also plays a role in nerve cases by affecting neurotransmitters and in functional cases by affecting neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones. Medical acupuncture in pregnancy planning programs also works through hormonal regulation, affecting the functions of the female and male reproductive organs through neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones.

 

Acupuncture Procedure

If you are interested in using acupuncture techniques, there is no special preparation that must be made. Friends of Hermina only need to come to an acupuncture clinic that is run by a doctor who specializes in medical acupuncture. Why a doctor?

The procedure carried out is generally the same as visiting other doctors, a question and answer period, or anamnesis, is carried out, the main complaints and other complaints are asked, and the examination is carried out. The doctor will then determine the diagnosis and plan for acupuncture therapy. Then the doctor will explain the acupuncture therapy procedure, the risk of side effects, ask about the history of having had acupuncture or not, and if there have been any problems after having acupuncture.

If the patient understands and agrees with what will be done, his or her consent is requested in the form of a signature. At the time of the procedure, the patient will be positioned supine, prone, sideways, or sitting, depending on the patient's condition and the point to be used. It is better if the point to be pierced is not closed in any way to prevent the needle from changing. If you want to, it is usually covered with a clean, soft cloth so as not to press the needle.

The doctor will wash hands, perform antisepsis with an alcohol swab in the places where the needle will be inserted, and then place the needle in the receptor area, which will be felt by the patient as soreness or tingling. If there is pain, the doctor will fix the needle position until it is painless. Keep in mind that acupuncture needles are very fine, smaller in diameter than syringes, and even smaller in diameter than sewing needles or pins.

If electrical or thermal stimulation is required, the needle will be connected to an electrostimulator or heated. After the therapeutic time is reached, usually 20 to 30 minutes, the needle will be removed, paying attention to any bleeding that occurs as a side effect.

 

Benefits of Medical Acupuncture

The mechanism of action of medical acupuncture is to stimulate the nervous system, endocrine/hormonal system, and immune system. All three systems are influenced by neurotransmitters and cytokines. Medical acupuncture works locally, segmentally (as high as the spinal cord), and centrally, or systemically, which is influenced by the brain. Emotional centers are known to be located in the brain and can be influenced by medical acupuncture. 

Acupuncture : Review and analysis of reports on controlled clinical trials (2002) mentions diseases that can be treated, namely  : 

• Radiotherapy and chemotherapy side effects

• Allergic rhinitis/nasal allergic rhinitis 

• Biliary/bile colic

• Depression

• Dysmenorrhea/menstrual pain

• Dyspepsia/gastritis/ulcer

• Headache and facial pain 

• Hypertension-hypotension

• Knee discomfort

• Low back discomfort 

• Leukopenia

• Nausea, vomiting, morning sickness

• Neck pain

• Tooth and jaw pain

• Shoulder pain

• Postoperative pain

• Renal colic

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sciatica Strokes

• Female and male infertility

• And other 

 

Risks Of Using Acupuncture

Until now, the acupuncture technique has been regarded as a safe treatment that rarely causes serious problems, either during the procedure or after treatment, if done correctly by a trained person, especially a doctor. If not done properly and by an expert, it can cause harmful effects, including the following :

• Infection can easily occur due to the use of needles and techniques that are not sterile.

• There was massive bleeding and intense pain at the place where the needle was inserted.

• If the needle is inserted too deeply and in the wrong direction, it can also harm internal organs (the liver, heart, lungs, intestines, kidneys, and others). It can also cause problems with blood vessels and peripheral nerves.

• There is an injury to the central nervous system.

The most important thing to remember is that Friends of Hermina should consult with a doctor before beginning acupuncture treatment. Is the health condition of Hermina's friend compatible or not with the treatment? Hermina friends can consult about acupuncture treatment with acupuncture specialists at the hospital. Hermina's closest friend or Hermina's best friend can also consult online with a hospital specialist. Hermina with the Hello Hermina app.